Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

Spain is turning to its growing migrant population to help breathe new life into rural communities that have been losing residents for decades. As villages face ageing populations and declining birth rates, the government believes immigration could play a key role in reversing depopulation and supporting economic growth. Over the past 25 years, Spain’s foreign-born population has grown significantly, increasing from one in every 20 residents to almost one in five. Most of these migrants come from Latin America and have contributed to making Spain one of the world’s fastest-growing advanced economies over the past two years. The Spanish government…

South African businesses have announced plans to support law enforcement with drones and helicopters ahead of expected anti-migrant protests scheduled for June 30. The move comes as anti-immigrant groups prepare for a self-imposed deadline demanding that undocumented migrants leave the country. Authorities are expecting possible demonstrations and have increased preparations to maintain public order and protect communities. Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA) said on Friday that it has activated extensive public-private support measures to assist the South African Police Service during the expected protests. The organization stated that the support will include the use of drones, helicopters, and other…

The eastern-based administration in Libya has announced a new immigration policy that bars citizens of four African countries from entering territories under its control. The decision affects nationals of Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia and applies to all official entry points, including airports, seaports, and land border crossings. The measure was announced on Tuesday through a decree issued by the government led by Prime Minister Osama Hamad in Benghazi. The administration, which is aligned with military commander Khalifa Haftar, said the decision is part of broader efforts to improve migration management and strengthen border controls. Officials described the move as…

The UK and France’s controversial “one in, one out” migration agreement is expected to end in October, according to reports from French media. The deal was introduced to manage the growing number of asylum seekers crossing the English Channel in small boats. Under the agreement, migrants who arrive in the UK by small boat can be returned to France. In exchange, the UK accepts other asylum seekers from France through legal routes. The policy was designed to discourage dangerous Channel crossings and encourage safer migration pathways. However, the scheme has faced strong criticism from migrant rights groups, charities, and asylum…

A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from carrying out arrests of migrants at immigration courts across the United States, ruling that the policy was implemented unlawfully. In a 71-page decision issued on Tuesday, Judge P. Casey Pitts of the Northern District of California found that the policies adopted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). The judge issued a nationwide injunction, preventing immigration authorities from continuing the practice. Judge Pitts stated that both agencies failed to provide reasonable explanations for their actions. He concluded that…

Several European Union countries are considering Rwanda and Uzbekistan as possible locations for migrant return hubs under the EU’s newly approved migration returns policy. The proposal is part of broader efforts to improve deportation procedures for migrants who have been denied permission to remain in the bloc. According to reports, countries including Denmark, Austria, Greece, Germany, and the Netherlands have strongly supported the initiative. These governments believe that establishing return centers outside the European Union could help address the bloc’s long-standing challenge of low migrant return rates. The new legislation would allow EU member states to transfer migrants who have…

South Africa is facing a worrying rise in anti-migrant sentiment as migrants are increasingly blamed for many of the country’s economic and social challenges. In recent months, vigilante groups have targeted foreign nationals, while businesses linked to migrants have come under attack. Many people have accused migrants of contributing to crime, unemployment, and pressure on public services. However, according to labour leader Zwelinzima Vavi, this anger is being directed at the wrong people. While many South Africans are struggling with poverty, unemployment, and poor public services, migrants are not responsible for creating these problems. South Africa continues to face one…

The United Kingdom and France have agreed to strengthen their “one in, one out” migrant returns agreement after concerns emerged that some migrants who were deported to France were finding their way back into Britain through illegal routes. Under the original deal, migrants arriving in the UK by small boats across the English Channel could be returned to France. In exchange, Britain would accept an equal number of asylum seekers from France through legal channels. However, authorities discovered that some migrants who had been returned to France were later re-entering the UK hidden in lorries. To address the problem, UK…

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has assisted more than 67,000 stranded Nigerian migrants to return home safely since 2017 through its Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration programme. The update was shared by Fatima Adeyemi, IOM Project Assistant on Awareness Raising, during a three-day migration reporting workshop held in Lagos. The training, themed “From Headlines to Impact: A Capacity Building on Ethical and Data-driven Migration Reporting in Nigeria,” was organized to improve journalists’ understanding of migration issues and responsible reporting. According to Adeyemi, the IOM remains committed to finding solutions to displacement and supporting vulnerable migrants. She revealed that in…

The Government of Ghana has launched a new Code of Conduct for Ethical Recruitment and a National Complaints Mechanism to better protect Ghanaians seeking jobs abroad. The initiative is designed to improve accountability in the recruitment sector and prevent the exploitation of migrant workers. The new measures were unveiled in Accra by the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo. The framework aims to ensure that recruitment agencies follow ethical standards and respect the rights of workers throughout the recruitment process. Under the new Code of Conduct, recruitment agencies are not allowed to deduct any part of the…